Breaking the Grid

Dinner

Night had fallen, and London's streets were bathed in the golden glow of streetlights. I had arrived an hour ago, the city lights blurring as I drove swiftly to my house to change and dropped off Kimi, who was staying with me this week. Now, I was parked outside a quiet, residential neighborhood, my car idling as I waited for Leah to reply to my message.

Just as I was about to lose hope, my phone buzzed with the response I had been eagerly waiting for. I quickly read the message, started my car, and drove toward the address. The calmness of the neighborhood contrasted sharply with the chaos of my day. I scanned the houses, hoping to find the right one without any mishaps.

I parked and gathered my things before walking up to the front door. I rang the bell and waited.

A moment later, the door opened, and I was greeted by a woman with sharp eyes that seemed to size me up. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

"Hi, Blair, right?" she said, extending her arms in what was clearly meant to be a welcoming hug.

I stepped forward, smiling as I embraced her. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you. I was worried I might've got the wrong house."

She shook her head, a smile breaking through as she replied, "Nope, you're in the right place. Are you here for Kyra?"

I nodded, and she waved me in, her tone growing playful as she called over her shoulder. "KYRA, SOMEONE'S HERE FOR YOU!"

I followed Alessia into the cozy kitchen, where Lotte was busy preparing something at the counter. She looked up as I entered and gave me a friendly wave, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Blair! Nice to see you again," she said warmly, setting aside what she was working on.

I smiled and returned the gesture, feeling a sense of ease settle over me. "Hi, Lotte. Good to see you too."

The kitchen was filled with the inviting aroma of home-cooked food and the casual chatter of friends. The space had a relaxed, comfortable energy that made me feel immediately at home.

Alessia, the woman who greeted me, leaned against the counter, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "We were just about to have dinner with Kyra, but if you two want some alone time, we can clear out."

I chuckled, feeling a sudden wave of confidence surge through me. I had come here with the idea of taking Kyra out, maybe grabbing a bite somewhere quiet, but the relaxed vibe of the house had me rethinking that plan. "I was actually planning to take her out," I admitted, glancing at the flowers in my hand. "But it's fine. I don't want to interrupt. I can come by another day."

Before Alessia could respond, Lotte chimed in with a smirk. "Oh, come on, Becks. You're already here. Why don't you just eat with us? And after dinner, we can all chill and watch a movie or something."

I hesitated for a moment, but Kyra's familiar footsteps came down the stairs, and when she appeared in the doorway, her face lit up with surprise and happiness. She looked a little tired, but her smile still had that warm glow that made my heart skip.

Kyra hugged me, and I smiled, handing her the flowers. "I brought these for you. Hope you like them."

Her eyes sparkled as she took them, her smile growing wider. "They're beautiful. Thank you, Blair."

The moment felt... right. Maybe spending the evening with her friends wasn't such a bad idea after all. The warmth in the room, the easy laughter—it felt like a breath of fresh air after everything. "Alright," I said with a grin. "I guess I'll stay."

Kyra's smile widened at my words, her eyes glowing with a warmth I hadn't realized I'd been missing. She set the flowers gently on the table, adjusting them with care, before turning back to me.